Many people might have their own conceptualization of Wikipedia constitutes, but there are fairly strict guidelines for the community that need to be followed. If you want to edit a particular page, then you have to understand what the editing process looks like. There are a plethora of different rules that Wikipedia uses to keep its content in check. One of those rules is that Wikipedia should not be treated like a dictionary. While some people might not care to know the difference between an encyclopedia and a dictionary, it’s a very important distinction to understand if you ever want to edit and write Wikipedia pages.
Key Differences between an Encyclopedia and Dictionary
Any Wikipedia editor for hire will tell you that there are massive differences between a Wikipedia entry and something that’s better suited for a dictionary. In fact, Wikipedia operates an entirely separate website called “Wiktionary” that provides very dictionary-like entries for a number of different words. Perhaps the biggest difference between an encyclopedia and a dictionary is that the former is concerned with wide-ranging explanations of a concept, person, place, thing, etc. and the latter is primarily concerned with the actual word itself.
For instance, an encyclopedia article on wine would likely delve into a number of different facets of wine. The history, production, use, ingredients, and a wide range of other details can be found in the Wikipedia entry for wine. In fact, the article for wine on Wikipedia is composed of well over 6,000 words, more than a dozen different images, and around 100 unique reference sources. By contrast, the Wiktionary entry for “wine” provides a brief etymological history of the term and a few very basic definitions. The word count numbers in the hundreds. Obviously, however, the size of the article isn’t the only determining factor when it comes to this distinction.
Focus of the Article
Wikipedia entries can be short or long, so you don’t necessarily have to have an article that is as long and detailed as the article for wine to make it on Wikipedia. A Wikipedia editor for hire will obviously want to take a look at any article that might not have the right focus. Wikipedia wants most of its articles to adhere to a certain form and standard, but not all of them reach that plateau. Beyond that, there are certain entries that simply don’t warrant extensive detail.
Additionally, there are some articles that may or may not focus almost exclusively on the word itself. In some cases, the word, its definition, usage, and history are important enough in their own right to warrant a full Wikipedia entry. Even so, the most important distinction you’ll find between a Wikipedia entry and a dictionary entry is the tone. While both Wikipedia and Wiktionary are technically written from non-biased, totally neutral standpoints, the tone of a Wikipedia article should be almost like that of a journalistic piece in a newspaper. A dictionary is purely informative with a focus on the word itself. Understanding that distinction can help you get your article on Wikipedia.
by Michael Wood – Michael Wood is an online marketing expert and owner of Legalmorning.com. He specializes in reputation and brand management, article writing, and professional Wikipedia editing. He is an expert Wikipedia editor and has helped hundreds of businesses and people post their articles to the site where they have otherwise failed. He is a regular contributor to many online publications including AllBusiness Experts, Yahoo, Business Insider, and Social Media Today.